Deployable Micro Weather Sensor

Real-time meteorological data is becoming ever more critical to military operations. Such data should be available from as many locations around a theater of operation as possible. To that end, there is a need for compact weather sensors that can be quickly deployed by a wide variety of methods, ranging from high-performance aircraft to infantry soldiers. The resulting local weather data will be of use in many ways, such as the planning of sensor and weapon mixes, prediction of sensor performance, personnel preparation for operations, and in predicting the dispersion and lifetime of chemical and biological weapons. A unique micro weather sensor will be developed that is built around a patent-pending anemometer system. This anemometer system offers several very unique features that will not only allow the anemometer to function in environments that would prohibit the function of standard anemometers, but will also allow it to deliver additional meteorological data products. This anemometer is the heart of the proposed system, and Phase I development work will focus extensively on the miniaturization of this technology. The technology is also expected to have substantial commercial potential; the miniaturized form will expand these markets and open new possibilities for the technology.